By Frank Craig
frank@donegalpost.com

Naomh Conaill 3-12 Ardara 1-09

Naomh Conaill were simply too good for near neighbours Ardara in this U21 decider,
running out comfortable winners at O’Donnell park on Sunday afternoon last.
The opening exchanges all pointed to the expected close contest that had been
forecast all week. Conal McNelis capitalising on some poor Ardara defending, fired
over the first score of the day. Michael Regan acted quickest to a lose ball around
the 21metre line to put the Glenties men two up.
Ardara looked to have their match when Peter McNelis followed up a Kieran Breslin
point to leave the sides level. The following ten minute period saw Ardara press the
self destruct button, imploding in a series of unforced errors that Naomh Conaill duly
punished in spectacular fashion.
A poor kick out by Hugh Shovlin fell straight to Dara Gallagher who squared to the
onrushing Conal McNelis to palm home. Leo McLoone then intercepted a poor Ardara
clearance to run thirty yards before releasing Michael Regan who slotted past the
advancing Hugh Shovlin. McLoone then got in on the act himself, collecting form
McNelis to score Glenties third unanswered goal.
Visibly shaken Ardara responded with points from Kieran and then Noel Gallagher.
Leo McLoone who was having a great game at midfield kicked high and over to push
Naomh Conaill further ahead. Kieran Gallagher got his second score of the day after
good work from Conal Gildea. Seamus Cororan brought the curtain down on the first half proceedings when he kicked over from wide on the right.
Two points from Dara Gallagher on the restart firmly put to bed any notions of an Ardara revival. Seamus Corcoran once again found his range chipping over after good work from Anthony Thomson. Noel Gallagher got Ardara off the mark chipping over Ardara’s first since
the restart.
Ardara in their search for goals were leaving lots of gaps in their rear guard. Eoin Wade was having a great game in the Naomh Conaill half back line intercepting plenty of ball to set up countless attacks.
Brendan McDyre got his first score of the day as the first few started to make their exist
from the main stand. Dara Gallagher then kicked over after Conal McNelis had been apprehended. A high ball from Gareth Concarr into the box caused all sorts of confusion
for Stephen McGrath in the Glenties goal. Blinded by events in front of him the ball
managed to hop past him to raise a cheer from the Ardara faithful.
The final score of the day saw Dara Gallagher split the town posts from all of 45 metres
to leave Ardara looking for the sanctuary of Jimmy Whites whistle.
This was a fantastic performance from the Naomh Conaill men and no doubt U21 Boss
Sean Clerkin will have made note of some big performances from the Glenties men.
Donal Cape and particularly Eoin Wade give little or nothing away around the half
backline while the midfield pairing of Thompson and McLoone were full of power and
energy. The aforementioned made things easy for the likes of Gallagher, McNelis,
Regan and Corcoran up front. But in Eoin Wade Glenties have the real deal, strong in
the tackle and composed on the ball, Wade was the catalyst for most of the victors
good work
Donegal post man of the match: Eoin Wade (Naomh Conaill)
Ardara: Hugh Shovlin; Oisin O’Donnell, Tomas Maguire, Nicholas Maguire; Jonathan
Shovlin; Paddy McGrath; Stephen Boyle; Declan Gallagher, Declan Gavigan; Kieran
Gallagher (0-2), Kieran Breslin (0-1), Noel Gallagher (0-2); Conal Gildea (0-1), Gareth Concarr(1-2), Peter McNelis(0-1)
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Stephen Molloy, Hugh McDevitt, Dermot Ward; Michael O’Malley, Donal Cape, Eoin Wade; Leo McLoone (1-1); Anthony Thompson; Conal McNelis(1-1); Michael Regan(1-1); Brendan McDyer(0-1); Seamus Corcoran(0-2), Dara Gallagher;(0-5) Leonard McDyer.